Vehicle exit signaling system

ABSTRACT

A vehicle exit signaling system comprising audio signal means for actuation by vehicle passengers to initially signal the vehicle driver that the passenger wishes to disembark, visual signal means for reminding the driver to dispatch the passenger subsequent to operation of the audio signal means, and means responsive to operation of the vehicle exit doors for disabling the visual signal means as the passenger disembarks.

United States Patent [191 Bryan Feb. 12, 1974 [54] VEHICLE EXITSIGNALING SYSTEM 3,648,273 3/1972 Gardner 340/326 [76] Inventor: HoraceV. A. Bryan, 2836 W. 33rd St Br okl NY, 11224 Primary Examiner-Donald J.Yusko Assistant Examiner-Robert J. Mooney [22] Flled: 1972 Attorney,Agent, or FirmClarence A. O'Brien; Har- [211 Ap No.: 285,359 ey B.Jacobson [52] US. Cl. 340/326, 340/52 R, 340/274, [57] ABSTRACT vehicleexit signaling system comprising aud|o signal [51] Int. Cl. G08b 27/00means for actuation b vehicle passengers to initially [58] Field ofSearch. 340/326, 327, 371, 52 R, 274; l h l d y h h 315/84 sl gna t 6 ve1c 6 r ver t at t e passenger w s es to disembark, visual signal meansfor reminding the [56] References Cited driver to dispatch the passengersubsequent to operatron of the audio signal means, and means responsiveUNITED STATES PATENTS to operation of the vehicle exit doors fordisabling the 492,627 2/1893 Kinter 340/52 R visual signal means as thepassenger disembarks. 1,086,527 2/1914 Hamilton et al..... 340/327901,540 10/1908 Lindsey 340/274 8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Jet l8 7 46)42 PULL SWITCH 20 1:1: IB /2 V FLASH-ER TD fig CR I PAIENTEU m3 1 21914SHEEI 1 OF 2 VEHICLE EXIT SIGNALING SYSTEM The present invention-isgenerallyrelated'to vehicle signaling systems and, more particularly, toa signaling system foruse with mass transit vehicles to initially informand subsequently remindthe driverthat apassen- .ger wishes to disembark.

through pull cords or the like. Later, the systems were- ,enchancedthrough the use of electrical bells or buzzers which were easier tooperate and provided a signal of sufficient intensity to be heard evenover the noisest crowd of passengers. While such systems have takenpassenger comfort and convenient into consideration, the driversinterests, for the most part, have been ignored. Buzzers and bellsintended to inform drivers when to stop have become a source of constantannoyance, particularly on large crowded buses. Often, passengers havethe tendency to pull the stop cord more than once out of concern thatthe driver may forget to stop. This, to say the least, can be mostbothersome to drivers who are expected to handle their vehicles with ahigh degree of safety and maintain predetermined time schedules.Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved vehicle exit signaling system which may be convenientlyoperated by passengers wishing to disembark without undue distraction tothe vehicle driver.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel vehicleexit signaling system including visual signal means for reminding thedriver subsequent to an audio signal that a passenger wishes todisembark.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a uniquevehicle exit signaling system including visual signal means which areautomatically disabled by operation of vehicle exit doors upon operationto discharge passengers.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide aversatile vehicle exit signaling system including audio signal meansadapted to be actuated by passengers wishing to disembark and beingdisenabled subsequent to initial operation until the vehicle exit doorshave been operated.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a uniquevehicle exit signaling system which automatically performs a pluralityof signaling functions, is of relatively simple construction, and iseconomical to manufacture and install in existing mass transit vehicles.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a typical mass transitvehicle with the exit signaling system of the present inventioninstalled therein.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a typical door operation responsiveswitch associated with the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the circuitry ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the circuitry ofthe'present invention.

Referring now, more particularly, to FIG. 1 of the drawings, theinterior of a typical mass transit vehicle is generally indicated by thenumeral 10 and includes a plurality of passenger seats 12 and a driversseat 14. The signaling system of the present invention is provided witha pull cord 16, or similar means mounted adjacent to the passenger seatsin a conventional manner and connected to a switch 18 for operationthereof. Actuation of the pull cord effects operation of an audiosignaling or audible alerting means, preferably including a bell orbuzzer 20 mounted adjacent the driver's seat. In addition, visualsignaling or alerting means are provided including a light 22 mountedadjacent the drivers seat and remote signaling lights 24 positionedalong the length of pull cord 16. A conventional door control switch 26is also mounted near the drivers seat for convenient operation of thevehicle exit doors in a conventional manner for entry and exit ofpassengers.

With reference to FIG. 2, it will be observed that in a first embodimentof the invention, the vehicle is provided with a switch 30 mountedadjacent to passenger exit doors, such as that generally indicated bythe numeral 28. Switch 30 is provided with an actuator 32 which isengaged by a portion of the exit door upon opening. The switch isconnected to the circuitry of the signaling system by way of line 34.The circuitry is such that upon operation of the exit doors, the visualsignaling means is automatically disabled and remains so until asubsequent operation of the pull cord switch. In addition, the circuitryincludes means for disenabling the pull cord switch subsequent to theinitial operation, whereby the audio signal means cannot be operatedmore than once for each bus stop, as hereinafter explained. Thisarrangement provides an initial audio signal to the driver that apassenger wishes to disembark, followed by visual signals which serve asa reminder to discharge the passenger at the next route stop. In theevent that a passenger actuates the pull cord switch subsequent to theinitial actuation, the audio signal means will not be energized. Thisassures that the driver will not be unnecessarily distracted and permitshim to concentrate more fully upon his driving duties. In this respect,the signaling system of the present invention enhances the safety of thevehicle operation.

Referring now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the first embodiment of thecircuitry associated with the vehicle exit signaling system of thepresent invention is generally indicated by the numeral 36 and isprovided with input terminals 38 and 40 adapted to be connected to theassociated vehicle power supply, such as 12 V.D.C. Preferably, pullswitch 18 includes at least two normally open momentary contacts 42 and44 connected to input terminal 38 by way of line 46. The bell 20, orsimilar audio signaling means, is serially connected to contacts 44 ofthe pull cord switch and to normally closed contacts TD Closure of thepull cord switch is effective to energize bell 20 so long as contactsTD, remain closed.

A self-latching control relay CR is connected in parallel with the bellcircuit and includes a pair of normally opened relay holding contacts CRbridging contacts 42 of the pull cord switch. Control relay CR isserially connected to a pair of door switches including normally closedcontacts. It will be appreciated that actuation of the pull cord switchwill be effective to energize the control relay, which remains in thecircuit after release of the pull cord by way of the relay holdingcontacts CR1- The visual signaling means associated with the presentinvention includes electrical lamps 22 and 24 connected in parallel witheach other and serially to a conventional flasher circuit 48 and a pairof normally opened relay control contacts CR The signal lights will notbe energized unless control relay CR, is energized to effect closure ofcontacts CR Of course, it is not intended that the system of the presentinvention be limited to the use of electrical lights or lamps, othervisual display means may be utilized, if desired.

The system illustrated in FIG. 3 is provided with means for disenablingthe audio signal means subsequent to initial operation of the pullswitch. Preferably, this is achieved by a time delay circuit including atime delay relay TD in parallel with the bell circuit and seriallyconnected to normally opened timer control relay contacts CR The timedelay relay is of the on delay type, such that operation of theassociated contacts will not be effected until completion of apreselected time interval.

Operation of the circuitry illustrated in FIG. 3 may be described asfollows. With both vehicle exit doors closed, and the associated switchcontacts in the closed position, initial actuation of the pull cordswitch will effect energization of bell 20 and control relay CR Inaddition, this actuation will initiate operation of the time delay relayTD. Preferably, the on" time delay is set for a relatively short timeinterval of 1-2 seconds. Upon completion of this time interval, contactsTD, are automatically opened, whereby the bell circuit is disenabled toprevent subsequent operation until the time delay relay is reset.Initial energization of the control relay CR, effectively removes thepull switch from the circuitry by way ofinterlock contacts CR Inaddition, energization of the control relay effects closure of contactsCR which, in turn, effects energization of flasher 48 and visual signallamps 22 and 24. The control relay remains energized and the lampscontinue to flash until the vehicle exit doors have been opened toeffect opening of at least one of the associated door switches No. 1 orNo. 2 which are serially connected to the control relay. De-energizationof the control relay causes opening of contacts CR which de-energize thetime delay relay and return the associated contacts TD to their normallyclosed position and reset the bell circuit for subsequent operation.

With reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, a second embodiment of thecircuitry associated with the present invention is generally indicatedby the numeral 50. Operation of this circuitry is substantially the sameas that explained above, but does not require the use of switchesmounted adjacent the vehicle exit doors. Instead, the circuitry of FIG.4 includes a pair of normally closed contacts 52 which are ganged todoor control circuit switch 26. Contacts 52 remain closed when the doorcontrol switch is in the closed position. Operation of the door controlswitch by the driver to the open position is effective to open contacts52, whereby control relay CR is de-energized to reset the circuit in amanner described above.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the vehicleexit signaling system of the present invention is of relatively simpleconstruction, yet provides a plurality of versatile signaling functionswhich allow minimum distraction to the vehicle operator to permit him tomore fully concentrate upon his driving duties. In addition, since thesignaling system is automatically de-energized and reset by operation ofthe vehicle exit doors, it does not require additional attention of thevehicle driver. Automatic disenablement of the audio signal meanssubsequent to initial operation of the pull switch prevents unnecessarydistractions to the driver by repeated passenger operation of the pullswitch.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A vehicle exit signaling system comprising:

a. manual actuator means;

b. audio signal means responsive to momentary actuation of said manualactuator means for producing audio signals in the vehicle indicative ofa passengers desire to disembark;

c. visual signal means enabled by operation of said manual actuatormeans for continuously providing visual signals; and

d. circuit means responsive to said momentary actuation of said manualactuator means for disenabling said audio signal means subsequent tosaid momentary actuation of the manual actuator means.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for disenablingsaid audio signal means maintains operation of said visual signal means.

3. The system set forth in claim 2 together with reset means forselectively disabling said circuit means to enable said audio signalmeans for subsequent operation by of said manual actuator means.

4. The system set forth in claim 3 wherein said reset means forselectively disabling said circuit means is responsive to operation of avehicle exit door.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said circuit means includes timingmeans for maintaining the audio signal means in operation for apredetermined interval of time following said momentary actuation of themanual actuator means.

6. In combination with a source of electrical energy and a signallingsystem having audible and visual alerting devices simultaneouslyenergized by said source upon momentary actuation of a signallingswitch, means for controlling operation of said alerting devices,comprising self-latching relay means connected to said source by thesignalling switch for energization simultaneously with the audiblealerting device in response to said momentary actuation of the switch,timing means responsive to energization of the relay means forinitiating a timing cycle of predetermined duration, means responsive totermination of said timing cycle for disabling the audible alertingdevice, means connecting the visual alerting device to the relay meansin by-pass relation to the timing means for continuous operation whilethe relay means is energized, and reset means connected to the relaymeans for deenergization thereof to disable the visual alerting meansand recondition the audible device for operation.

ing means.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said timing means includes a timedelay relay connected in series with the signalling switch and the timercontrol switch to said source and having normally closed contactsconnected in series with the audible alerting device to the source.

1. A vehicle exit signaling system comprising: a. manual actuator means;b. audio signal means responsive to momentary actuation of said manualactuator means for producing audio signals in the vehicle indicative ofa passenger''s desire to disembark; c. visual signal means enabled byoperation of said manual actuator means for continuously providingvisual signals; and d. circuit means responsive to said momentaryactuation of said manual actuator means for disenabling said audiosignal means subsequent to said momentary actuation of the manualactuator means.
 2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein said meansfor disenabling said audio signal means maintains operation of saidvisual signal means.
 3. The system set forth in claim 2 together withreset means for selectively disabling said circuit means to enable saidaudio signal means for subsequent operation by of said manual actuatormeans.
 4. The system set forth in claim 3 wherein said reset means forselectively disabling said circuit means is responsive to operation of avehicle exit door.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said circuitmeans includes timing means for maintaining the audio signal means inoperation for a predetermined interval of time following said momentaryactuation of the manual actuator means.
 6. In combination with a sourceof electrical energy and a signalling system having audible and visualalerting devices simultaneously energized by said source upon momentaryactuation of a signalling switch, means for controlling operation ofsaid alerting devices, comprising self-latching relay means connected tosaid source by the signalling switch for energization simultaneouslywith the audible alerting device in response to said momentary actuationof the switch, timing means responsive to energization of the relaymeans for initiating a timing cycle of predetermined duration, meansresponsive to termination of said timing cycle for disabling the audiblealerting device, means connecting the visual alerting device to therelay means in by-pass relation to the timing means for continuousoperation while the relay means is energized, and reset means connectedto the relay means for deenergization thereof to disable the visualalerting means and recondition the audible device for operation.
 7. Thecombination of claim 6 wherein said relay means includes a relay coilconnected to the source in series with the signalling switch and thereset means, a relay holding switch connecting the source to the relaycoil in by-pass relation to the signalling switch, a relay controlswitch connecting the visual alerting device to the source in serieswith said relay holding switch, and a timer control switch connected inseries with the timing means.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein saidtiming means includes a time delay relay connected in series with thesignalling switch and the timer control switch to said source and havingnormally closed contacts connected in series with the audible alertingdevice to the source.